Elaine Nail Spa — Local services in New York

I’ve given this nail salon far too many tries and I’m fed up. I went here today for a color gel manicure and regular pedicure. I wasn’t acknowledged at all when I walked in, despite having stopped in to make an appointment the day before. I was passed on to a newer, younger tech I didn’t recognize. The entire color gel manicure was rushed and amateur. She didn’t push the cuticles and didn’t cut off any of the dead skin around the nail bed which is basic even for a regular manicure. It was as if she skipped numerous steps in the process to rush through - or she was just that inexperienced. I already see imperfections and color not consistent throughout each nail and I fully expect them to start chipping in a week, if not sooner. Then I was passed onto the next tech, Maria, for a pedicure. It was just so lazy and it lacked any sense of care. She cut and shaped my nails and barely gave a hint of a massage. Basically did a polish change but charged me $25 for it anyway. The service here is always rushed because they don’t honor appointments and they just want your money so it’s like a cattle farm. If you’re looking for nail designs you’ll get more attention from Elaine because that’s their claim to fame and real money maker. However I find her to be aggressive, rude, and have never liked having my nails done by her. The place is also dirty and gross but I have thankfully never gotten an infection here. I walked out today spending $55 and I’ll probably need to go to another salon in two weeks to fix their messy mistakes. Not worth the cost and definitely didn’t feel like the relaxing spa...

I’m usually hesitant to leave negative reviews, but after seeing so many positive ones, I wanted to share a different perspective.

I came in for a regular pedicure and gel manicure. I don’t remember the name of the person who did my pedicure, but Elaine did my nails. Unfortunately, both experiences were uncomfortable. They were harsh, almost hurtful, and handled me in a way that felt aggressive. I just wanted to leave.

Instead of speaking to me, they kept tapping me to switch hands or adjust, but it felt super rough. A little communication and using words would have made a big difference. It wasn’t a language barrier - Elaine spoke clear English during half of my appointment while talking to a vendor and taking a call. I didn’t mind the multitasking, but I did mind how rude she was to me.

Elaine filed my nails so thin they feel fragile now, which is a total dealbreaker for me because they are completely destroyed now. They looked fine at first, but one chipped the very next day. I didn’t even consider going back to get it fixed because the whole experience left me feeling unwelcome and uneasy. I won’t...

I have been a customer at this nail salon for a year, initially attracted by their attention to “cleanliness” for a short while and the appeal of supporting a local business. However, my experiences gradually declined. The owner is often overwhelmed due to a lack of staff, creating a rushed and hectic atmosphere. This rushed environment led to a distressing incident where my cuticle was cut and bled during a hurried service. Adding to the unprofessionalism, the owner's boyfriend, who doubles as the receptionist, lacks the necessary decorum for the role. The final straw was a recent incident when I missed an appointment due to unforeseen circumstances. The owner's boyfriend called me seven minutes after my appointment time and rudely hung up on me without allowing me to explain or reschedule. These experiences, unfortunately, have led me to decide not to return to this...